Penn State football questions: What are best PSU gridiron traditions?

It's time to start the debate. After weeks of anticipation, the BCS has finally
revealed its first poll of the 2011 season—in this case, ranking the countless time-honored
traditions that make Penn State football not just a mind-numbing obligation of
a Columbus Saturday, but instead a sporting spectacle revered by Blue and White
diehards worldwide.

How many great Penn State football traditions can you spot in this picture? JOE HERMITT, The Patriot-News, 2008

Taking a glance at
the rankings, one will find the mainstays—tailgating and the Blue Band are
strong again this year. Some upstarts
and surprises join them—the White Out could be a dark horse. Notre Dame's over-ranked, as usual.

Without further ado, here's a rundown of the greatest Penn
State football traditions. In true
college football fan form, feel free to over-analyze, fault the system, and
ultimately find peace with a No. 1 we can all agree on (not Nebraska in 1994)...

208. Being parked in
the Lewistown narrows for 3 hours on a Friday night- I don't miss this.

100. The (automated) Victory
Bell- Thanks to a generous donation from my father's graduating class (1978),
Beaver Stadium was able to celebrate hard-fought wins in the 1990s and early
2000s with a monotonous toll that evoked AC/DC at best and a funeral at worst. The program did revert to the original, real
bell a few years ago, though I'm still not sold on the idea. Sorry, Dad.

5. White Out-
Taken at face value, the white out is nothing more than a tired, trendy fashion
movement that took off a few years ago, and has been performed in some capacity
at every other stadium in the country.
But go beyond the striking visual representation, and think about the
true power of the white out: it unifies the masses; it says "WE ARE" without
even saying it; it transforms even the oldest alumni back into their former
screaming student selves. At the 2007
spring game, the white was dyed orange and red to display our sorrow and
support for Virginia Tech—it isn't about the color, after all, but a sense of
togetherness that, in some cases, goes beyond football.

4. The Uniform-
"There is no name on my jersey." "I play for those that came before me." Before
every home game, we are reminded that we wear the simplest, yet most
tradition-rich garments in the country.
When Evan Royster made a cut in his 22, we can picture Cappelletti doing
the same. Was that 12 Mike Robinson saving
the season against Michigan State in 2005, or Kerry Collins doing the same
against Illinois in 1994? When a
quivering signal-caller audibled, which 31's wrath was he trying to avoid, that
of Paul Posluszny or Shane Conlan? Our
program's storied history deserves to be honored, and as they say, imitation is
the best form of flattery.

3. Blue Band Pregame-
We return to the familiar stadium, find our familiar seats, rekindle familiar
acquaintances, yet something just doesn't feel right. Then, the drumline advances, quietly tapping
a beat to steady the air. The beat picks up, and suddenly the drumline explodes
into a multitude that covers the field.
There is a crescendo, then a pause.
And then, the triumphant brass sounds, we rise to our feet with
agonizing anticipation, and the drum major emerges from the gauntlet of tubas
to nail his flip! As he salutes the
crowd, a hundred thousand strong can exhale—football season has arrived, and we
return the salute by joining our band in singing the Alma Mater. It moves me every time.

2. Tailgating- My
tailgating story started as a simple gathering with my parents, grandparents,
and a Bonfatto's sub, and has since evolved into a huge event with dozens of my
best friends, my family, and all the grilled food, outdoor games, and liquid
libations I can handle. What makes tailgating
so special, though, is not our own experience, but the thousands upon thousands
of similar ones that take place for miles in every direction. It really is just one giant, interconnected
party—a chance to get in our cars and RV's, make the pilgrimage, and eat,
drink, and be merry, being sure to leave our worries and cares behind at home.

1. Joseph Vincent
Paterno- Make sure that while you are enjoying the traditions that make
Penn State football so special, you take time to think about the coach,
philanthropist, and unparalleled leader that made it all possible. Were it not for a pair of black Nikes, a pair
of rolled-up khakis, a pair of coke-bottle glasses, and 400-some odd wins, none
of the other traditions listed here would exist. Nothing else needs to be said because it's been
said a million times; this is one spot in the rankings that isn't negotiable.

As for the others, there's still plenty of time to make a
case—just don't expect to see a playoff anytime soon.

This
post was written by Tim Johnson. If you like
what Tim has to say, tell him your thoughts in the comment section
below.

What do you think are the best Penn State traditions? Do you agree with Tim's rankings?